SCOUT AND CUB NOTES AND NEWS
Generous Gifts To Movement
LOCAL PROGRAMME FOR 1937
(BY E.J.M.)

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   Scouts in the Far East often pride themselves on the fact that they are a very cosmopolitan crowd, but recent news from British Columbia revealed how a straggling group of nine very little people, described as "one of the queerest picking crews ever seen" by Mr. A.K.Loyd, President of the British Columbian Fruit Growing Association, performed their good turn to the suffering farmers of Saskatchewan, a job in which Scouts and Rovers are taking a large part. In this crew, headed by a Boy Scout, were two little Japanese, a Chinese and a Hindu, two white boys and two white girls.
   This little group went to Mr. Loyd's orchard, near Kelowna, and offered to gather apples to be sent to the distressed people. They worked hard and secured 150 boxes to be included in the relief shipment. At the end of their labour Mr. Loyd offered them a reward for their efforts and they all chose a sweet, a species of the "all day tucker." Then they all went away without a further thought to the good work they had done.
   This gesture, although small as it may seem towards the drought stricken Canadians of Saskatchewan, is a lesson for the world of mightier events. It only it could be affected by that same childlike spirit of "goodwill to men"!

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CAMPING GROUNDS

   The Boy Scouts Association has accepted 400 acres of beautifully wooded Ashdown Forest, known as Broadstone Warren, situated northeast of Wych Cross, and five miles south of East Grinstead, the generous offer of the Manor Charitable Trust of Hackney, London, at a peppercorn rent of one shilling a year. It will be opened next spring as a National Camping Ground, and will be the second largest Scout camp in the British Isles. TWO streams run through this delightful estate, and one will provide a swimming pool. This camp will be the Mecca of Scouts in the South of England, especially the London boys, for on week ends and summer holidays they will be able to follow the road by train, cycle and on foot, and at the end of their journey will pitch their tents, light their fires, and indulge in all the delights of Scouting for boys.
   Other property of the Manor Charitable Trust, Isle of Thorn, is very near to Broadstone Warren. The largest Scout camp is at Brynbach, 600 acres, near Denbigh, North Wales, and one of the most popular in the South of England is Gilwell Park, Chingford, the nearest camping ground to London. Some 900 boys camp regularly throughout the summer at Gilwell, and Scoutmasters from all parts of the world have received training there. Great Towers, on the borders of Lake Windermere, is another beautifully wooded estate of 240 acres, which was presented to the Scouts by one of Scouting's pioneers, Mr. W.B..Wakefield, and recently opened by the Chief Scout.

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"WE EXIST AND DO THINGS"

   One of the minor problems of local Boy Scouts is to let the Hong Kong public know that they "do exist and are doing things." It is only now and then when they are giving a public show do people realise the usefulness to which these young boys have adapted themselves. Very often Scouters rue the lack of an opportunity to tell people just what their boys are doing, especially when their good turns are deserving of some little recognition from local residents.
   Greater still is the lack of interest the average citizen of this Colony has for Scouting which elsewhere, especially in the larger cities of the world, receive the fullest attention. The importance and usefulness of Scouting for boys has created the necessity of telling the public of its work so that parents might know of this secondary education which is available to boys of all ages, regardless of colour, race and creed.

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LOCAL PROGRAMME

   Throughout the year Boy Scouts keep themselves busy at doing things, whether they are staging one of their own displays or they are assisting in the work of a charity bazaar. Their programme is a full one always and never a week end goes by without some Troop finding itself engaged at some job.
   The Boy Scouts Association of Hong Kong have already mapped out their programme for 1937 which has been provisionally fixed as follows:- January: Wolf Cub Sports Day, Sixers' and Seconds' Tea, Rover Social; February: Celebration of the Chief Scout's Birthday; March: Totem Pole and Banner Rallies; April: Half yearly Meeting of the Scout Council; May: Coronation Celebrations; June: Rally at Government House; September: Swimming Sports; October: Autumn Show; November: Annual Meeting; December: Camp Competition.